Epidermal β-Catenin Activation Remodels the Dermis via Paracrine Signaling to Distinct Fibroblast Lineages Scientists showed that epidermal Hedgehog and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling mediate the dermal changes. Epidermal Shh stimulates proliferation of the papillary fibroblast lineage, whereas TGF-β controls proliferation, differentiation and extracellular matrix production by reticular fibroblasts. [Nat Commun] Full Article Polyclonal Breast Cancer Metastases Arise from Collective Dissemination of Keratin 14-Expressing Tumor Cell Clusters Researchers used multicolor lineage tracing to demonstrate that polyclonal seeding by cell clusters is a frequent mechanism in a common mouse model of breast cancer, accounting for >90% of metastases. Intriguingly, locally disseminated clusters, circulating tumor cell clusters, and lung micrometastases frequently expressed the epithelial cytoskeletal protein, keratin 14. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release 1 | Press Release 2 The Development of a Tissue-Engineered Tracheobronchial Epithelial Model Using a Bilayered Collagen-Hyaluronate Scaffold Investigators sought to engineer a bilayered collagen-hyaluronate scaffold for the development of a physiologically-representative 3D in vitro tracheobronchial epithelial co-culture model. [Biomaterials] Abstract Alginate-Encapsulation for the Improved Hypothermic Preservation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells The authors present a simple, low-cost system capable of enhancing the preservation of human adipose-derived stem cells stored at hypothermic temperatures, while maintaining their normal function. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 Modulates High-Fat-Diet Induced Glomerular Fibrogenesis and Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Obesity Scientists examined the function of matrix metalloproteinase-12 in glomerular fibrogenesis and inflammation using apo E−/− or apo E−/−MMP-12−/− mice and maintained on a high-fat-diet for three, six, or nine months. [Sci Rep] Full Article The Extracellular Matrix Protein Laminin-10 Promotes Blood–Brain Barrier Repair after Hypoxia and Inflammation In Vitro The authors investigated the mechanisms by which hypoxia and inflammation trigger loss of blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity and tested the hypothesis extracellular matrix changes could contribute to BBB repair in vitro. [J Neuroinflammation] Full Article A Titanium Surface with Nano-Ordered Spikes and Pores Enhances Human Dermal Fibroblastic Extracellular Matrix Production and Integration of Collagen Fibers Investigators aimed to determine whether an alkali-heat treatment-created nano-topographic titanium surface could enhance human dermal fibroblastic functions and binding strength to the deposited collagen on the titanium surface. [Biomed Mater] Abstract A New In Vitro Mouse Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cell Migration Assay Reveals a Role for Integrin-Linked Kinase in Cell Motility Scientists developed a new oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) migration method specifically suited for use with mouse-derived cells. They combined the new OPC migration assay with a conditional knockout approach to investigate the role of integrin-linked kinase in OPC migration. [BMC Neurosci] Full Article |